Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Brexit

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many officials in his Department have been seconded away from their normal duties to work on the UK's withdrawal from the EU; and what effect that secondment of staff has had on the effectiveness of his Department.

Andrew Stephenson: In the run-up to the 29th of March deadline, the Department temporarily reprioritised 532 people to further support critical EU-exit work. In light of the Article 50 extension to the 31st of October, the Department has revaluated its portfolio work and is in the process of deprioritising these people. Of the original 532 people, 167 continue to support this critical EU-Exit work as of the 28th of May. During this time BEIS continued, and still continues, to deliver on its diverse portfolio.

Iron and Steel

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the number of tonnes of coal required to produce steel at current levels in the next five years.

Andrew Stephenson: Finished steel products are produced in the UK through a mixture of the blast furnace route, which requires coal and iron ore, and through the electric arc furnace route, which does not require coal. We have not estimated the tonnes of coal required for current production of UK finished steel products.The Government has long supported the UK steel industry to exploit opportunities and plan for future demand with wide-ranging action.For the first time this year we have published information from departments and their arm’s-length bodies on how much steel they have procured over the last financial year and how they have applied the steel procurement guidance.The Government has also published details of upcoming steel requirements for national infrastructure projects. The data shows how the Government plans to use over three million tonnes of steel until 2021 on infrastructure projects such as the construction of Hinkley Point, and the maintenance and upgrading of the UK’s motorway network.We recently as a Department signed up to the UK Steel Charter. We want to acknowledge and support this initiative from industry. We have been encouraging the UK steel sector to strengthen their engagement with all existing and potential domestic steel consumers, maximising opportunities to benefit from the £3.8 billion a year by 2030 high market value opportunities we have identified.The Government has provided more than £291m in compensation to the steel sector since 2013 to make energy costs more competitive, including over £53 million during 2018. And last year we announced the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, worth up to £315 million, to support businesses with high energy use to transition to a low carbon future and to cut their bills through increased energy efficiency.

Companies: Registration

Jo Platt: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will  make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing an exemption from the Companies House SR01 form fee for the removal of a home address from public record on grounds of public safety.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Government has no current plans to introduce an exemption to the fee for removing a home address from the public record. Companies House operates on the basis of cost recovery.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Brunei: British Nationals Abroad

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to safeguard (a) British armed forces personnel and (b) British citizens based in Brunei from strict new laws against homosexuality and adultery in that country.

Mark Field: The British government has been in close consultation with the Government of Brunei and has ensured the necessary protections are in place with the Government of Brunei to mitigate against any issues that might arise from the introduction of the final phases of the Sharia Penal Code. British Forces have been instructed to conform to all Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice. We encourage all British passport holders visiting Brunei to read the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's travel advice pages which are updated on a regular basis.On 5 May, the Sultan of Brunei confirmed that the de facto moratorium on the death penalty will apply to the Sharia Penal Code and committed Brunei to ratifying the United Nations Convention Against Torture. We have welcomed these announcements. The Sultan’s assurances confirm the value of addressing sensitive issues such as this, through respectful dialogue and diplomacy and, in that vein, we continue to encourage Brunei to remove corporal and capital punishments from its statues. Brunei’s commitments regarding the death penalty and United Nations Convention Against Torture go a significant way to addressing our anxieties about the human rights situation in Brunei.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Brexit

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many officials in his Department have been seconded away from their normal duties to work on the UK's withdrawal from the EU; and what effect that secondment of staff has had on the effectiveness of his Department.

Sir Alan Duncan: Since the Referendum, 65 FCO staff have been transferred to work in other government departments to support EU Exit preparations. The FCO continues to keep its EU Exit staffing levels under constant review to ensure that they are appropriate to deliver the Government's objectives. The Civil Service as a whole is working to ensure that EU Exit implementation is carried out to a high quality without impacting public service delivery.

Afghanistan: Taliban

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the increased Taliban presence in Afghanistan; and whether the security situation in Afghanistan remains a priority for his Department.

Mark Field: The British Government continues to closely monitor the security situation in Afghanistan. Our analysis is that the Taliban cannot win this conflict. The British Government believes a political peace settlement, between the Afghan government and the Taliban, is the only way to achieve lasting stability and security in Afghanistan. We welcome the progress made towards starting a credible peace process by the US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad. We continue to urge the Taliban to take advantage of the current opportunity for peace, and to begin a genuine dialogue with the elected government of Afghanistan.Her Majesty's Government, along with our North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies and other partners, also remains committed to supporting The Afghan Government and the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces. This is vital to protect the Afghan population from the conflict and from terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda and Daesh Khorasan Province. It is also an essential effort to ensure that Afghanistan does not again become a safe-haven for international terrorism.

India: Hate Crime

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent estimate he has made of changes in the level of hate crimes against Muslims in India.

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of India’s adherence to Article 18 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Mark Field: India has a strong democratic framework and constitutionally enshrined protections for freedom of religious belief, but faces some challenges enforcing these due to its size and social and economic development. The situation for religious minorities in India varies, depending on location, socio-economic background and proportion of religious minorities.We maintain a continuous assessment of the human rights situation across India. We engage with India on the full range of human rights matters, both bilaterally and through the European Union. We work with Union and State Governments, and with Non-Governmental Organisations, to build capacity and share expertise to promote human rights for all. The British High Commission in New Delhi, and our Deputy High Commissions across India, also run projects promoting minority rights and regularly meet religious representatives, as well as official figures such as the Chair of the National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Minorities. Recent project work included ‘Empowering Muslim youth’ which reached 150 youths, 20 teachers and over 100 educational institutions.​

Department of Health and Social Care

Department of Health and Social Care: Brexit

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many officials in his Department have been seconded away from their normal duties to work on the UK's withdrawal from the EU; and what effect that secondment of staff has had on the effectiveness of his Department.

Stephen Hammond: The number of individuals who have been transferred or seconded to work in preparations for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union in other Government departments is not recorded.Across the Department, staff are working on a range of policy areas related to EU Exit. Communications, analytical and legal staff also provide advice as required. Staff may have been redistributed within their directorates to support or undertake work which involves preparations for EU Exit. Officials may also have reprioritised their work to include EU Exit work, whilst remaining in their primary roles.The Department is continually reviewing workforce plans, reprioritising and assessing changing needs, including identification and cessation of non-priority work where appropriate. The Civil Service as a whole is working to ensure that EU Exit implementation is carried out to a high standard, without impacting public service delivery across the whole of Government.

Nusinersen

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has held with (a) NICE, (b) NHS England and (c) Biogen on a Managed Access Agreement for SMA treatment Spinraza.

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when NICE will publish the outcome of the NICE Evaluation Committee meeting held on 6 March 2019.

Seema Kennedy: Discussions about managed access agreements for technologies undergoing assessment by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) are rightly held between NHS England as an independent body and the manufacturer concerned. Departmental officials play no role in such discussions, but are in regular contact with NICE and NHS England colleagues about a range of issues, including progress in discussions about a potential managed access agreement for Spinraza (nusinersen) for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. Ministers have also held meetings with Biogen, NICE and NHS England on a number of occasions, at which the availability of Spinraza was discussed. NHS England and NICE have made stakeholders and the public aware of the outcome of its appraisal committee meeting of 8 May and NICE is now able to recommend the use of Spinraza for NHS patients in England, subject to a managed access agreement agreed between NHS England and Biogen which makes Spinraza available to children with the most severe form of spinal muscular atrophy available with immediate effect. NICE’s Appraisal Committee’s considerations and recommendations will be contained in the final appraisal document which will be published in due course, with final guidance expected in June 2019.

Child Rearing

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to invest in evidence-based parenting support.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Becoming a parent is an important period and opportunity to offer evidence-based advice and support whilst creating opportunities to support a child’s very early development.Through our new workforce of Mental Health Support Teams, staffed by a new role of Education Mental Health Practitioners, we are providing new capacity for addressing the needs of children and young people with mild to moderate mental health issues. The first cohort of trainees started in early 2019 and the first wave of trailblazer areas will become operational during 2019. The Support Teams will provide evidence-based interventions, which may include family-based behaviour change interventions, which can be successfully delivered to help reduce child conduct problems.

Orkambi and Symkevi

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the timetable is for the conclusion of negotiations between NHS England, NICE and Vertex on access to (a) Orkambi and (b) Symkevi for people with cystic fibrosis.

Seema Kennedy: NHS England provided an update to the Health and Social Care Committee (HSCC) of the House of Commons on 23 May 2019, which can be found at the following link:https://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/Health/Correspondence/2017-19/19-05-23-NHS-England-update-availability-of-Orkambi-on-the-NHS.pdfThis update informed the HSCC that a revised and improved offer had been made to Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Discussions between Vertex, NHS England and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) are ongoing.The Government fully supports NICE and NHS England in seeking to ensure access for patients to effective and innovative medicines at a price that represents value to the National Health Service, and expects companies to engage realistically with NHS England and NICE regarding pricing issues. Where companies engage positively and show appropriate flexibility, it is possible to find a way to enable access to important treatments in a way that is also cost effective for the NHS.

NHS: Public Appointments

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many NHS staff appointments are awaiting ministerial sign-off.

Stephen Hammond: Ministers do not sign-off National Health Service staff appointments. These are managed locally.

Health Centres: Skellingthorpe

Karen Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effect of the planned closure of Skellingthorpe Health Centre on local provision of health services.

Seema Kennedy: Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group has received an application from the Glebe Practice regarding the proposed closure of its branch surgery in Skellingthorpe. It will be carrying out a public consultation and an equality impact assessment will be presented to the Primary Care Commissioning Committee prior to any decision being made.When a general practitioner practice closes, patients are informed and advised to register at other local practices of their choice within the catchment area in which they live. In some instances, and in consultation with patients and patient groups, patients are allocated to other neighbouring practices with adequate capacity. Commissioners locally will work with their practices to ensure they are only allocated a volume of patients which they have capacity to manage appropriately and effectively.

Gender Recognition: Young People

Wera Hobhouse: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps have been taken in the last six months to reduce the waiting time for transsexual youths at the Tavistock Hospital Gender Identity Clinic.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust is working with NHS England to develop and implement measures to reduce waiting times. NHS England has increased funding for the Trust’s Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) by around 150% since 2015/16, but the Trust continues to face challenges in recruiting clinical staff in GIDs with significant experience and expertise.The service has trialled several initiatives to provide support to young people who are referred, this includes - but is not limited to:- an ongoing recruitment drive;- initiatives to actively manage the waiting list offering consultations to local services in complex cases while they wait for specialist input;- consultation sessions with local mental health services and group sessions with children under 10 years of age;- regularly reviewing communication around the waiting lists to equip young people with information which is as accurate as possible about their wait;- reviewing policies and procedures around first appointments, for example looking at Did Not Attend (DNA) policies to ensure those offered appointments to take them up;- giving more attention to clinically appropriate timely transitions between the Trust’s gender identity service and adult services; and- clinician operated ‘helpline’ for urgent enquiries/concerns from young people, their families and referrers on the waiting list.NHS England has also committed to reviewing the service specification for GIDS in 2019/20.

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will undertake a review of the list of medical conditions for which patients are exempt from prescription charges to provide a list that is reflective of current health conditions.

Seema Kennedy: The Department has no plans to review the current system of medical exemptions from prescription charges. Extensive arrangements are already in place to help people access National Health Service prescriptions. These include a broad range of NHS prescription charge exemptions.To support those with the greatest need who do not qualify for an exemption, the cost of prescription pre-payment certificates has been frozen for another year. A holder of a 12-month certificate can get all the prescriptions they need for just £2 per week.

Analgesics: Misuse

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to prevent people from becoming addicted to pain relief medication.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to prevent people becoming addicted to opioid painkillers.

Seema Kennedy: Painkillers including opioids are important to help people manage pain, but they must be treated with caution and the Government is taking action to protect people from addiction and inappropriate prescribing. Public Health England is reviewing problems associated with prescription medicine use, including opioids. In the interim we have introduced prominent addiction warnings for all opioid medicines and are making sure prevention and social prescribing are at the heart of our Long Term Plan to cut down on over-prescribing.

Allergies

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people have allergies in the UK.

Seema Kennedy: Data on the number of people who have allergies is not held.

Infectious Diseases

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to tackle the spread of superbugs.

Seema Kennedy: The Government recognises the importance of tackling superbugs. This is why, in January 2019, it published the United Kingdom’s 20 year vision for antimicrobial resistance (AMR), accompanied by a five year National Action Plan. The UK wants to see a world in which AMR is contained and controlled by 2040 and recognises that it cannot achieve this alone. It will require coordinated One-Health action across all sectors, all over the world. The UK will continue to play its part by modelling best practice and innovative approaches at home, sharing good practice and learning from others, and supporting progress internationally.The UK five year national action plan sets out challenging five year ambitions.

Cervical Cancer: Screening

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the urine test for cervical cancer will be adopted by the NHS.

Seema Kennedy: There are currently no plans to adopt urine testing into the National Health Service Cervical Screening Programme (NHS CSP), the United Kingdom National Screening Committee (UK NSC) has not been asked to assess the evidence for urine testing against its criteria.Proposals for any major modifications to an existing screening programme, such as a move to offer urine testing as the primary screen test in the NHS CSP would require a formal submission to the UK NSC as per its published review process. Proposals for modifications are accepted by the UK NSC throughout the year. More information can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-nsc-evidence-review-process/appendix-d-how-to-submit-a-proposal-to-the-uk-nsc

Anosmia

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people in the UK have anosmia.

Seema Kennedy: Data on the number of people who have anosmia is not held.

Vegetables: Children

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to encourage children to eat green vegetables.

Seema Kennedy: The Government recommends that children over the age of five years eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables a day as part of a healthy balanced diet. This advice is reflected in the United Kingdom’s national food model, the Eatwell Guide at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-eatwell-guideStart4Life and Change4Life, Public Health England’s social marketing programmes, promote consumption of vegetables, including green vegetables, as part of 5 A Day fruit and vegetable messaging through: the Food Scanner app, Change4Life and Start4Life websites, the fruit and vegetables boost email programme, regular update emails to the Change4Life database of 340,000 families and a public information radio advert.The school food standards for England state that one or more portions of vegetables or salad must be served every day. The Government’s School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme aims to ensure all children in Key Stage 1 in England receive a piece of fruit or vegetables every day.

Suicide: Young People

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of teenage suicides.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Although relatively rare, the number of suicides amongst children and young people remains a concern. The National Suicide Prevention Strategy highlights children and young people as a group requiring tailored approaches to mental health to reduce their risk of suicide. We published the first Cross-Government Suicide Prevention Workplan in January this year which sets out an ambitious programme for suicide prevention across national and local government. This workplan highlights steps we are taking across Government to reduce suicides in children and young people. The workplan is available at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/772210/national-suicide-prevention-strategy-workplan.pdf

5G

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what (a) health-and-safety research and (b) risk assessments his Department has (i) undertaken and (ii) commissioned on 5G technology.

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care,  whether his Department has (a) undertaken and (b) commissioned a regulatory safety testing on 5G radiofrequency radiation.

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to undertake (a) health-and-safety research and (b) a risk assessments before 5G is adopted in a localised test area.

Seema Kennedy: Public Health England (PHE) has published a webpage about exposure to the radio waves from mobile phone base stations, including those for 5G networks, at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mobile-phone-base-stations-radio-waves-and-health/mobile-phone-base-stations-radio-waves-and-healthThis explains the health-related reviews and assessments have been performed, as well as the practical measures that are in place to protect public health.PHE advises that the guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) should be adopted and there is no convincing evidence that radio wave exposures below the ICNIRP guideline levels cause adverse health effects. The guidelines apply to exposures at frequencies up to 300 GHz, well above the maximum few tens of GHz frequencies anticipated for use by 5G systems.Health and safety legislation requires companies deploying and operating communication networks to carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments, as well as put in place measures to reduce the identified risks so far as reasonably practicable. In controlling risks arising from radio wave exposure, the Health and Safety Executive refer to compliance with the ICNIRP guidelines. Industry has committed to comply with the international guidelines and to provide certificates of compliance with planning applications for base stations.PHE continues to monitor the health-related evidence applicable to radio waves, including in relation to base stations, and is committed to updating its advice as required.

Diabetes: Mental Health Services

Dr Rupa Huq: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether an assessment has been made of the potential benefits of including a mental health professional with knowledge of diabetes in every diabetes care team.

Stephen Hammond: It is for individual clinical commissioning groups to commission treatment and services for people with diabetes and they are best placed to identify what is needed in their local areas.On 21 March 2018, NHS England and NHS Improvement along with the National Collaborating Cenre for Mental Health published ‘The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Pathway for People with Long-term Physical Health Conditions and Medically Unexplained Symptoms’.IAPT services provide evidence based treatments for people with anxiety and depression and the services are co-located in existing primary and secondary care physical health pathways. IAPT services will target the needs of people with depression and anxiety disorders who also have long-term conditions such as diabetes.

NHS England: Expenditure

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the table headed Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL) on page 129 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will publish a breakdown of spending under the heading NHS Commissioning Board (NHS England) net expenditure.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the table headed Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL) on page 129 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will publish a breakdown of spending under the heading NHS Providers net expenditure.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the table headed Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL) on page 129 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will publish a breakdown of spending under the heading DHSC Programme and Admin expenditure.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the table headed Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL) on page 129 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will publish a breakdown of spending under the heading Local Authorities (Public Health).

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the table headed Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL) on page 129 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will publish a breakdown of spending under the heading Public Health England (Executive Agency).

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the table headed Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL) on page 129 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will publish a breakdown of spending under the heading Health Education England net.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the table headed Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL) on page 129 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will publish a breakdown of spending under the heading Special Health Authorities expenditure.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the table headed Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL) on page 129 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will publish a breakdown of spending under the heading Non Departmental Public Bodies net expenditure.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the table headed Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL) on page 129 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will publish a breakdown of spending under the heading Arm’s Length and Other Bodies (Net).

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the table headed Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL) on page 129 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will publish a breakdown of spending under the heading NHS Commissioning Board (NHS England) financed from NI Conts.

Stephen Hammond: The figures contained within page 129 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20 show details of the planned resource and capital budgets for each sector of the Department, available at the time of production.Details of each departmental body’s spending plans will be published in their individual business plan.The Department prepares a Memorandum which is published by the Health and Social Care Committee. This provides further information on the Main Estimates publication. The Memorandum is prepared in accordance with the guidance issued by Parliamentary Scrutiny Unit and can be found at:https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/offices/commons/scrutinyunit/reports-and-publications/main-estimates-2019-20/

NHS England: Expenditure

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the table headed Arm’s Length Bodies (ALB) expenditure on page 138 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will publish a breakdown of spending under the heading A: NHS Commissioning Board (known as NHS England).

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the table headed Arm’s Length Bodies (ALB) expenditure on page 138 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will publish a breakdown of spending under the heading F: Health Education England.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the table headed Arm’s Length Bodies (ALB) expenditure on page 138 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will publish a breakdown of spending under the heading H: Care Quality Commission.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the table headed Arm’s Length Bodies (ALB) expenditure on page 138 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will publish a breakdown of spending under the heading H: Health Research Authority.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the table headed Arm’s Length Bodies (ALB) expenditure on page 138 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will publish a breakdown of spending under the heading H: Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the table headed Arm’s Length Bodies (ALB) expenditure on page 138 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will publish a breakdown of spending under the heading H: Human Tissue Authority.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the table headed Arm’s Length Bodies (ALB) expenditure on page 138 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will publish a breakdown of spending under the heading H: Monitor (known as NHS Improvement).

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the table headed Arm’s Length Bodies (ALB) expenditure on page 138 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will publish a breakdown of spending under the heading H: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the table headed Arm’s Length Bodies (ALB) expenditure on page 138 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will publish a breakdown of spending under the heading H: NHS Digital (The Health and Social Care Information Centre).

Stephen Hammond: The figures contained within page 138 of the Central Government Supply Estimates 2019-20 show details of the planned resource, capital and cash budget for each arm’s-length body within the Department, available at the time of production.Details of each departmental body’s spending plans will be published in their individual business plan.The Department prepares a Memorandum which is published by the Health and Social Care Committee. This provides further information on the Main Estimates publication. The Memorandum is prepared in accordance with the guidance issued by Parliamentary Scrutiny Unit and can be found at the following link:https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/offices/commons/scrutinyunit/reports-and-publications/main-estimates-2019-20/

Diabetes: Mental Health Services

Ben Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support the mental health of people who have diabetes.

Jackie Doyle-Price: We are committed to improving access to mental health services to all sections of the population in England, including those with diabetes.On 21 March 2018 NHS England and NHS Improvement along with the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health published 'The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Pathway for People with Long Term Health Conditions and Medically Unexplained Symptoms'. This provides advice to clinical commissioning groups on how to ensure that Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services provide people with such conditions with the same access to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence-recommended psychological therapies as other people.

Department for International Development

Department for International Development: Brexit

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many officials in his Department have been seconded away from their normal duties to work on the UK's withdrawal from the EU; and what effect that secondment of staff has had on the effectiveness of his Department.

Harriett Baldwin: 134 DFID staff have been temporarily seconded from their normal duties to work on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. DFID is working closely with other government departments to facilitate the return of staff deployed to other government departments, following the extension of Article 50. As of 21 May 2019, 100 of these staff have returned. To release staff for deployment, DFID undertook a detailed prioritisation exercise to assess the internal resource required to maintain essential delivery. For DFID, this meant meeting the legal commitment to spend 0.7% of GNI (Gross National Income) on international development in an effective and value for money way and the ability to respond to humanitarian emergencies. All other DFID business is highly important however officials made decisions to slow or pause delivery in order to support the EU exit related resource requirements of other government departments.

Harare: Water

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of clean water provision in Harare.

Harriett Baldwin: Out of a daily demand of 800 mega litres, the City of Harare is only able to provide 500 mega litres. Through a multi-donor trust fund called ZIMFUND, DFID has, since 2010, supported the rehabilitation of water supply infrastructure to improve waste water treatment capacity and water supply to some areas. Through UNICEF we are supporting the City of Harare with repairing water infrastructures and boreholes in cholera prone areas.

Females: Equality

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department is taking to improve women's participation in leadership positions.

Harriett Baldwin: Getting more women into power gives voice to a marginalised section of society, creates female role models and leads to legislative change and policies that tackle gender inequalities and discrimination. Peace settlements are 35% more likely to endure for more than 15 years if women have been involved in negotiations. Increasing women’s political participation and leadership is a foundational pillar of DFID’s Strategic Vision for Gender Equality, launched in March 2018, and is a top priority in the current cross-Government National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. Just 24% of national parliamentarians around the world are women. DFID programmes are supporting women to participate in politics. In Nigeria, DFID’s ‘Women in Politics’ programme supports women elected to the National Assembly, including establishing the first women’s caucus as a forum for advocacy, policy development and training. In Afghanistan, DFID support has helped women provincial councillors who often face intimidation and violence in their work. Women’s voice and leadership can make a real difference on issues that matter to them. DFID has supported Amplify Change to fund women-led organisations that help women to claim their sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR). Grantees have driven change to policies and laws, such as the Registration of Marriage regulation in Afghanistan; improved access to SRHR services, information and products, such as providing 7000 girls in Tanzania with menstrual products; and transformed social norms including significant contribution to the eradication of child marriage in Cote d’Ivoire.

Females: Equality

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what plans he has to increase the proportion of UK aid which has gender equality as a primary or secondary objective as measured by the OECD's gender marker.

Harriett Baldwin: The UK is recognised as an international leader for our work to promote gender equality. DFID’s Strategic Vision commits us to build on our strong foundations of working to end violence against women and girls, support universal sexual and reproductive health and rights, improve girls’ education, and enable women’s economic and political empowerment. We are also stepping up our support of girls and women in conflict and crises, increasing our focus on adolescent girls, and harnessing the potential of technological innovation for gender equality. Our impact on gender equality is measured by our influence as well as our level of spending.

Ministry of Justice

Prisoners: Radicalism

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what interventions his Department is making to tackle the ideologies of far-right offenders within the prison system.

Robert Buckland: Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) works closely with a range of partners to tackle extremism of all ideologies in prisons, including ideologies held by far-right offenders. An HMPPS and Home Office Joint Extremism Unit (JEXU) was established in April 2017 to be the strategic centre for all counter terrorism work in prison and probation and have oversight of delivery across the end-to-end offender management process. Prisoners identified as being of extremist concern, or who have shown signs of being vulnerable to extremism, are managed actively as part of a comprehensive case management process. Over 22,000 prison staff have received specialist extremism awareness training, to enable them to identify, report and challenge extremist views. HMPPS uses a wide range of interventions as part of its management of extremist offenders in prison. These range from assessment tools, such as the Extremism Risk Guidance 22+ and Extremism Risk Screening, to rehabilitative measures such as the Healthy Identity Intervention, Developing Dialogues, and the Desistance and Disengagement Programme. Interventions play an important role in helping to encourage and facilitate desistance and disengagement from extremism, support reintegration into society, and reduce the risk of further offending. All of these interventions are available to far-right offenders, if required.

Nottingham Prison: Prisoners' Release

Ben Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners were released from HMP Nottingham into homelessness in each month since June 2017.

Robert Buckland: Data from October 2017 until March 2018, based on published statistics, are provided on the attached table. Please note that data for April 2018 onwards is due for publication in July.Figures for January to September 2017 are not included as this would require assuring unpublished statistics which could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.It is vital that everyone leaving prison has somewhere safe, stable and secure to live. Having somewhere stable to live acts as a platform for ex-offenders to be able to access the services and support needed to turn their back on crime for good. Overcoming the many barriers offenders face to securing suitable accommodation is something that Ministry of Justice cannot do in isolation.The Secretary of State for Justice and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government are both members of the cross-Government Rough Sleeping and Homelessness Taskforce and the Reducing Reoffending Board. Homelessness of ex-offenders is a key issue that is discussed at these meetings.We are investing up to £6.4m in a joint pilot scheme to support individuals released from three prisons, namely Bristol, Leeds and Pentonville. We have now launched our Invitation to Tender, to secure suppliers in the three pilot areas. This is a concrete step in our commitment to tackling rough sleeping.



Table for PQ 256342
(Excel SpreadSheet, 16.93 KB)

Social Services: Prosecutions

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prosecutions of social care workers there have been for abusing older adults in care in each of the last five years.

Robert Buckland: It is not possible to identify the number of social care workers that were prosecuted for abusing older adults in care in each of the last 5 years from the broader offences:Care provider ill-treat / wilfully neglect an individual or breach duty of careIll-treatment or neglect of a person lacking capacity by anyone responsible for that person’s care The offences do not specify whether or not the defendant was a social worker nor do they specify the age of the victim. Detailed information may be held on individual court records but to be able to identify these cases we would have to access these individual court records which would be of disproportionate cost.

Birmingham Prison: G4S

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what changes he has implemented at HMP Birmingham following the cancellation of the G4S contract at that site.

Robert Buckland: Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) exercised its right under the contract with G4S to ‘step-in’ in August 2018 and took over the running of HMP Birmingham. The ‘step-in’ meant that HMPPS could provide additional resources and support to directly address the areas of failure identified. The additional cost of the ‘step-in’ action, including additional HMPPS staff has been recovered from G4S in accordance with the terms of the contract. There has been good progress since the ‘step-in’ however, the department and G4S have mutually agreed to formally return the prison to HMPPS in July 2019. G4S staff at Birmingham will transfer to HMPPS contracts on 1 July and they are being supported through the transition.This change will continue to drive the long-term improvements that are required at the prison. We have made no changes since G4S remain contractually responsible for the prison until 1st of July 2019.

Prisoners: Crimes of Violence

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners have been (a) charged and (b) convicted of an offence under Section 24 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 for throwing excreta at prison staff in each of the last 10 years.

Robert Buckland: In 2017 the Crown Prosecution Service issued guidance that potting offences (throwing of excreta) to the face or head should be prosecuted under Section 24 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. It is not possible to identify court proceedings made for the specific offence of throwing excreta at prison staff from within the broader offence of “Cause administer poison/noxious things with intent to injure/aggrieve/annoy” (nor is it possible to distinguish who was the victim of the offence). Detailed information may be held on court record but to be able to identify these cases we would have to access individual court records which would be of disproportionate cost.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Local Government Finance: Birmingham

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on increasing funding to Birmingham City Council in advance of the spending review.

Rishi Sunak: The funding available for local authorities is determined in periodic Spending Reviews, and allocated in the main as part of the annual local government finance process. As the Chancellor announced at Spring Statement, if a deal with the EU is agreed in the coming weeks, the 2019 Spending Review will be launched before summer recess and conclude alongside an Autumn Budget. This will provide an opportunity to consider local government spending in the round and preparations are well underway.

National Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Service

Sir Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 8 May 2019 to Question 248581 on the National Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Service, for what reason that Answer did not provide the dates on which the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation had discussions with representatives of the (a) Royal Parks, (b) Department of Culture, Media and Sport and (c) Westminster City Council.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: No central log exists of engagements with representatives of The Royal Parks, Department of Culture, Media and Sport and Westminster City Council.

National Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Service

Sir Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 8 May 2019 to Question 248582 on the National Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Service, in what form the Government received the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation's recommendation of 13 January 2016 that the Holocaust Memorial and the Holocaust Learning Centre should be located in Victoria Tower Gardens; and if he will place a copy of that recommendation in the Library.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: The decision to recommend Victoria Tower Gardens was taken at a Holocaust Foundation Board meeting on 13 January . The Prime Minister accepted that recommendation and announced Victoria Tower Gardens as the chosen location on 27 January 2016. The minutes of the Board meetings are the property of the Foundation which is an independent advisory body.

National Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Service

Sir Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2017 to Question 106178 on the National Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Service, on what date in autumn 2015 the possibility of locating the Holocaust Memorial in Victoria Tower Gardens was first raised officially with the Government by the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: Discussions with officials about possible sites took place during the autumn of 2015. The exact date when Victoria Tower Gardens was first discussed is not recorded.

National Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Service

Sir Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answers of 16 October 2017 to Question 106178 and 14 March 2019 to Question 229625 on the National Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Service, whether Victoria Tower Gardens was identified by the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation as one of the almost 50 sites as a possible location for the Holocaust Memorial between 7 September 2015 and 30 October 2015.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: The answer to Question UIN 229625 makes clear that Victoria Tower Gardens was suggested as a possible site after 30 October 2015, once other sites had been dismissed as not meeting the criteria.

United Kingdom Holocaust Memorial Foundation

Sir Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, on what dates from (a) 26 October 2015 to (b) 13 January 2016 the Prime Minister had meetings with (i) the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation and (ii) members of that Foundation; and which members attended each of those meetings.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: The Prime Minister had no meetings with the Holocaust Memorial Foundation in that period but did meet with members of the Holocaust Commission in January 2016 for a one year on progress report.

National Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Service

Sir Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much is being paid from the public purse to Big Ideas for providing public relations and publicity services for the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre; which budget that funding is allocated from; and what the scope is of the services Big Ideas is so providing.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: Big Ideas are supporting public engagement, drawing especially on their experience in reaching groups whose voice is often not heard by decision-makers. A budget of £118,000 has been allocated.

National Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Service

Sir Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 March 2019 to Question 229625 on the National Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Service, which of the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation’s criteria of September 2015 for the location of the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre the proposed location at the Imperial War Museum was deemed not to meet.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: The UKHMF believed that the location close to Parliament of the Memorial and Learning Centre was an important statement about the importance of democracy as a protector against tyrants. Most of the important decisions relating to Britain’s reaction to the Holocaust were taken near the site. Consequently no other site came close to Victoria Tower Gardens in symbolism or significance. The Government agreed with the recommendation that Victoria Tower Gardens was the most fitting location.

Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Defence: Brexit

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many officials in her Department have been seconded away from their normal duties to work on the UK's withdrawal from the EU; and what effect that secondment of staff has had on the effectiveness of her Department.

Mark Lancaster: A total of 257 Ministry of Defence (MOD) civil servants were augmented to Other Government Departments (OGDs) as preparation for the UK to leave the EU. This figure includes those who were augmented in support of Operation Yellowhammer. As at 23 May 2019, 254 had returned to the MOD. Three MOD civil servants remain augmenting OGDs as preparation for the UK to leave the EU. In addition, a total of 61 MOD civil servants were moved internally to work on EU Exit within MOD, of which 54 had returned to non-EU specific roles as at 23 May.The MOD continually reviews workforce plans, reprioritising and assessing changing needs, which includes identification and cessation of non-priority work where appropriate. We have accelerated our plans, and at the same time, the civil service as a whole is working to ensure that EU Exit implementation is carried out to a high quality without impacting public service delivery across the whole of Government. The MOD continues to meet all its current commitments, keeping the country and its interests safe. The augmentation outlined above has had no impact on Defence outputs; as at 1 April 2019, 318 augmentees represented 0.55 per cent of the MOD civilian personnel strength (full time equivalent).

Centre of Excellence for Human Security

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps she has taken to establish a Centre of Excellence for Human Security; where she plans to locate the centre; how UK academic institutions can contribute to the centre; and if she will make a statement.

Mark Lancaster: We are considering options on the full scope of this centre and suitable location. As part of the development process we will engage civil society and academic institutions to ensure the centre makes best use of national and international expertise.

Yemen: Military Intervention

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether her Department has interviewed Oxfam about attacks on the (a) water supply system and (b) cholera treatment centres that Oxfam supports in Yemen which were hit by Saudi-led coalition air strikes in (i) April and (ii) June 2018.

Mark Lancaster: The Ministry of Defence has not interviewed Oxfam about these incidents.

Department for Work and Pensions

Social Security Benefits: Suicide

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information she holds on the suicide rate of people whose claims for (a) universal credit, (b) employment support allowance and (c) personal independence payment are declined.

Justin Tomlinson: The Department recognises that suicide is a tragic and complex issue; one which we take extremely seriously. This Government is fully committed to reducing the incidence of suicide and supporting people to get the help they need. The Department does not centrally collect the reason for claimant deaths.

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of a moratorium on benefit sanctions for (a) low-income and (b) single-unit families during the school summer holidays.

Alok Sharma: The Department works to design and deliver a compassionate approach that supports claimants on Universal Credit and other benefits. The Department has not made an assessment of the potential merits of a moratorium on benefit sanctions during the school summer holidays for a) low-income and (b) single-unit families, as we are in the process of reviewing the effect of sanctions on work incentives. There are a number of measures designed to help the claimant’s financial situation. Hardship payments are available to eligible claimants who will face hardship as a result of a sanction. Additionally, we have recently announced that the length of the maximum single sanction any benefit claimant could face will be reduced from three years to six months.

Universal Credit

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment her Department has made of  the compatibility of universal credit implementation with the socio-economic duty in Section 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Justin Tomlinson: The Department published an Equality Impact Assessment for Universal Credit (UC) in 2011, which stands overall, although in line with Ministers’ legal duties equality impacts have been considered on all major changes to UC. This can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-equality-impact-assessment An Equality Impact assessment is currently being produced to cover details of the selection of Move to UC claimants to take part in the first phase of the pilot.

Severe Disability Premium

Faisal Rashid: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the timeframe is for compensation to be made available to people who were entitled to a severe disability premium payment and who claimed universal credit before 16 January 2019.

Justin Tomlinson: Since the introduction of The Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) (SDP Gateway) Amendment Regulations 2019, which came into force on 16th January 2019, claimants who are entitled, or have been within the last month, to an award of an existing benefit that includes SDP have not been required to move to Universal Credit; even if they have experienced a relevant change in their circumstances. The draft Universal Credit (Managed Migration Pilot and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019, which are currently before Parliament, make provision for SDP transitional payments for those eligible claimants who have already moved to UC and for moving existing legacy claimants onto Universal Credit and implementing transitional protection. We are currently considering the court judgment handed down on 3 May 2019.

Universal Credit

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the timeframe for fixing problems with GOV.UK Verify in respect of universal credit claims.

Alok Sharma: Design and delivery of the GOV.UK Verify platform is the responsibility of the Government Digital Service (GDS) and its partners. The Department for Work and Pensions, along with other government departments is a user of this service, and provides feedback to GDS about its operation, recognising that people wanting to claim Universal Credit, or check their State Pension, can choose to use it to confirm their identity. The Department has no access to this information and claimants have direct contact with identity providers (also called ‘certified companies’). The Department will continue to consider options to provide the easiest and most secure digital services for our claimants.There are various ways in which a claimant can verify their identity for Universal Credit purposes: in person using primary and secondary ID verification or; by using biographical questions, for those who do not have identity documents.

Universal Credit

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will change the rules on universal credit joint applications to enable couples to verify their ID in person at separate times.

Alok Sharma: At present, there are various ways in which a claimant can verify their identity for Universal Credit purposes: online using the gov.uk verify service; in person using primary and secondary ID verification or; by using biographical questions, for those who do not have identity documents. If an appointment is needed to verify a claimant’s ID in person, both members of a “couple claim” are not required to attend at the same time. The current process is that separate appointments will be arranged for each partner, at a time that is convenient for them.

Universal Credit: West Midlands

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the effect of the introduction of universal credit on trends in the level of household debt in the West Midlands.

Alok Sharma: We do not hold data on the levels of household debt. The Government is committed to ensuring that people, especially those who are experiencing financial difficulties, have access to the information and guidance they need to make effective financial decisions throughout their lives. Once fully rolled out, Universal Credit is forecast to be £2 billion per year more generous than the legacy system it replaces. The Money and Pension Service has replaced three providers of government-sponsored financial guidance – the Money Advice Service, the Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise – which has brought together the provision of debt advice, money guidance and pension guidance for the first time, streamlining the services offered and reducing confusion for members of the public on who they should contact.

Universal Credit: West Midlands

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the correlation between increasing food bank dependence in the West Midlands and the roll-out of universal credit.

Will Quince: Whilst we have always said that there are many reasons people use Food Banks and that their growth cannot be linked to a single cause, we have long acknowledged that there were issues with the early roll out of UC. We have listened to feedback on how we can support our claimants and acted quickly, making improvements such as extending advances, removing waiting days, and introducing housing benefit run on. These changes are giving support to vulnerable people who need it most, whilst at the same time helping people get into work faster.

Social Security Benefits

Hugh Gaffney: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the effect of the benefits freeze on the incomes of households with children.

Will Quince: An Impact Assessment of the benefit freeze was published in 2015, this is available in the link below. https://www.parliament.uk/documents/impact-assessments/IA15-006C.pdf  The Welfare Reforms such as the benefit freeze were designed to incentivise parents to choose to move into and progress in work. Evidence shows that work is the best route out of poverty. Children in workless households are five time more likely to be in poverty than those in households where all adults were working. Since 2007/08, the incomes of the poorest fifth have increased by over £850 above inflation, whereas the incomes of the richest fifth have increased by around £650.

Universal Credit: Disability

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to consult (a) disabled people and (b) the organisations that represent disabled people to ensure that her digital by default programme for universal credit is compatible with the assistive technology that many disabled people rely on to access online services.

Justin Tomlinson: All Department for Work and Pensions’ digital services are designed and built in line with Government Digital Service guidelines, and international standards for IT accessibility (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1). The intention is to make the services usable by as many people as possible without the use of assistive technology, and to be compatible with screen reading and magnifying tools for those people requiring them. To ensure that they meet these standards, the services are tested during the development process and prior to implementation. This includes both a range of technical tests and assessment of their usability by intended end users. Feedback from users of the services is encouraged and acted upon. Specifically, for Universal Credit Full Service (UCFS), we continue to work closely with service users and their representatives and have recently completed our second external Audit that provided WCAG AA accreditation. The Department has a dedicated team ensuring that user experience (and accessibility is key to this) is at the heart of the way we develop the service. For people unable to access or use digital services, assistance to make and maintain their claim is available via the Freephone Universal Credit helpline. Face-to-face support is also available in Jobcentres. In exceptional circumstances, a home visit can be arranged to support a claimant in making and maintaining their claim. From 1 April 2019 Citizens Advice (England and Wales) and Citizens Advice Scotland are delivering the new ‘Help to Claim’ support to claimants making a new Universal Credit (UC) claim or moving from a legacy benefit to UC because of a change of circumstances. The Citizens Advice Help to Claim offers tailored, practical support to help people make a UC claim up to receiving their first full correct payment on time. It is available online, through web-chat, through a Freephone number and face to face through local Citizens Advice services.

Pension Credit: Wales

Chris Elmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Written Statement of 14 January 2019, Official Report HCWS1249, how many mixed-age couples will be affected by the change to pension credit in (a) Wales and (b) Ogmore.

Guy Opperman: The mixed age couples change that came in on 15 May 2019 will not affect couples who were entitled to Pension Credit and/or pension age Housing Benefit immediately before May 15, unless their entitlement to both those benefits subsequently ends. Anyone who would be eligible for the pension age benefits under the previous rules but have not claimed before 15 May will have up to 13 August to make a backdated claim to 14 May and we encourage them to do so. The specific information requested about the number of mixed age couples that are estimated to be affected by the forthcoming changes in (a) Wales and (b) Ogmore is not available.

Pension Credit: Females

Chris Elmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to her Written Statement of 14 January 2019, Official Report HCWS1249, what assessment she has made of the potential effect on women's incomes of changes to pension credit.

Guy Opperman: The Pension Credit change was legislated for in the Welfare Reform Act 2012. It was announced on 14 January 2019 that the change would take effect from 15 May 2019. It will not apply to couples already claiming Pension Credit and/or Housing Benefit for pensioners immediately before the 15 May implementation date for as long as they remain entitled to either benefit. Furthermore, couples who would be eligible for the pension age benefits under the previous rules but have not claimed before 15 May will have up to 13 August to make a backdated claim. There has been ongoing equality analysis of the mixed age couple change, including the publication of a research and analysis paper relating to mixed age couples estimated to be affected by the change in policy on 28 February 2019. The analysis shows that the vast majority of mixed age couples comprised a male and female partner. There is no indication that the change will have a disproportionate impact on the basis of sex. The analysis can be viewed here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/mixed-age-couples-benefit-impacts-of-ending-access-to-pension-credit-and-pension-age-housing-benefit

Pension Credit: Wales

Chris Elmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in Wales currently claim pension credit.

Guy Opperman: The information is published and available at: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk Guidance for users is available at: https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html The latest data (as at November 2018) shows that in Wales, there are 100,065 people claiming Pension Credit.

Pension Credit

Chris Elmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to raise awareness of the changes to pension credit.

Guy Opperman: The change to the Pension Credit rules was legislated for in the Welfare Reform Act 2012. The Government announced on 14 January that the mixed age couple policy change will come into force on 15 May. Following that announcement, we have implemented comprehensive plans to raise awareness of the change among people who may be affected. The Department has written directly to mixed age couples who are already in receipt of Pension Credit or Housing Benefit for pensioners to ensure they know about the change and how they could be affected if their circumstances change on or after 15 May. Importantly, the letters explained that the change will not apply to mixed age couples already claiming Pension Credit and/or Housing Benefit for pensioners at the point of change for as long as they remain entitled to either benefit. This was in addition to providing information on GOV.UK and through existing departmental channels. The Department’s staff in Pension Centres and Jobcentres including visiting officers are able to provide information about the change, as are staff in Local Authorities who administer Housing Benefit. The Department has also worked with relevant organisations such as Age UK and Citizens Advice, including providing them with a fact sheet to ensure that accurate information is available in the places where people are most likely to seek it. Anyone who would be eligible for the pension age benefits under the previous rules but have not claimed before 15 May will have up to 13 August to make a backdated claim to 14 May and we encourage them to do so.

Children: Maintenance

Angela Crawley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many consolatory payments have been made by the Child Maintenance Service in each of the last three years.

Will Quince: Child Maintenance Group (CMG) have only recorded Compensation Payment details for CMS separately since 2017/18, so we are unable to identify CMS only costs prior to that financial year. For 2017/18 and 2018/19 the CMS figures are as follows: 2017-182018-19Consolatory Payments£72,099£79,556   However the data for the volume of consolatory payments is not routinely recorded.

Child Maintenance Service

Angela Crawley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much the Child Maintenance Service has spent on consolatory payments in each of the last three years.

Will Quince: Child Maintenance Group (CMG) have only recorded Compensation Payment details for CMS separately since 2017/18, so we are unable to identify CMS only costs prior to that financial year. For 2017/18 and 2018/19 the CMS figures are as follows: 2017-182018-19Consolatory Payments72,09979,556

Universal Credit

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect of a five-week wait for a first payment of universal credit on trends in the level of food bank usage.

Will Quince: No Universal Credit (UC) claimant has to wait five weeks for their first payment and there are many reasons why people use foodbanks. If required, advances of up to 100 per cent of their expected UC award are available to claimants from day one of their claim. Advances are paid back over a maximum of 12 months and in the Autumn Budget 2018, we announced that from October 2021, the payback period for these advances will be extended further, allowing claimants up to 16 months. This is just one of a number of measures the Department has put in place to support claimants such as paying those claimants moving from Housing Benefit onto UC a two week ‘transitional housing payment’. We are also introducing a two-week run on for eligible claimants of Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance from July 2020.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Wildlife: Conservation

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the efficacy of measures to protect wildlife habitats in the Draft Environment (Principles and Governance) Bill 2018; and if he will make a statement.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Our published draft Environment (Principles and Governance) clauses form part of our broader Environment Bill. The draft clauses set out the environmental principles and the creation of a policy statement together with a new system of green governance for when we leave the EU. Further measures being planned for the Environment Bill will help us take action to enhance our environment, including wildlife habitats.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Brexit

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many officials in his Department have been seconded away from their normal duties to work on the UK's withdrawal from the EU; and what effect that secondment of staff has had on the effectiveness of his Department.

David Rutley: Over 80% of Defra’s agenda is affected by the UK’s departure from the EU and as a result many roles across the Defra group are now supporting exit related work, either directly or indirectly. Departments continually review workforce plans and reprioritise and assess changing needs, which includes identification and cessation of non-priority work where appropriate. The Civil Service as a whole is working to ensure that exit implementation is carried out to a high standard without impacting public service delivery across the whole of Government.

Carbon Emissions

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the UK’s carbon footprint is not exported to countries with weaker targets in place.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The Government publishes annual estimates of the UK’s carbon footprint on a consumption basis. The latest statistics were published on 11 April and show the footprint for years 1997 to 2016: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uks-carbon-footprint. Carbon footprint measured in this way refers to emissions that are associated with the consumption spending of UK residents on goods and services, wherever in the world these emissions arise along the supply chain, and those which are directly generated by UK households through private motoring etc. These emissions are often referred to as ‘consumption emissions’ to distinguish them from estimates relating to the emissions ‘produced’ within a country’s territory or economic sphere. As stated in the Resources and Waste Strategy, the Government’s goal is to maximise the value of the resources we use, minimise the waste we create, cut emissions and help create a cleaner, greener, healthier planet. In the Strategy we have committed to measures that will improve resource efficiency, prevent waste and cut carbon consumption emissions.  Climate change is a global challenge. The UK is a world leader in cutting emissions while creating wealth. Between 1990 and 2017, the UK reduced its emissions by over 40 per cent while growing the economy by more than two thirds. We have met our first two Carbon Budgets and are on track to meet the third. In addition, our consumption emissions are falling. Greenhouse gas emissions on a consumption basis fell by 6% between 2015 and 2016; and by 21% between 2007 and 2016. UK International Climate Finance (ICF) plays a crucial role in addressing this global challenge. Three government Departments (DFID, BEIS and Defra) have responsibility for investing the UK’s £5.8bn of ICF between 2016 and 2021. These investments aim to support international poverty eradication now and in the future, by helping developing countries to manage risk, adapt to and build resilience to the impacts of climate change; promoting low carbon development at scale; and supporting sustainable management of natural resources and reducing deforestation. Between 2011/12 and 2017/18, it is estimated that ICF programmes have reduced or avoided 10.4 million tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (tCO2e).  Energy and trade intensive businesses create particular challenges, where ambitious climate change targets could risk carbon leakage. As the Clean Growth Strategy sets out, we remain committed to carbon pricing as an emissions reduction tool whilst ensuring energy and trade intensive businesses are appropriately protected from any detrimental impacts on competitiveness. During Phase IV negotiations on the EU Emissions Trading System the UK supported the provision of free allocation as a precaution against the risk of carbon leakage; as the UK leaves the EU our preferred position is to have a UK ETS that is linked to the EU ETS and in that scenario, as set-out in our recent consultation on the future of carbon pricing, we propose to continue the provision of free allocation to industry to help ensure a smooth transition and continued protection against carbon leakage.

Fish: Disease Control

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to prevent ulcerative dermal necrosis in fish.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Fish Health Inspectorates, the official services for the control of diseases of aquatic animals in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, investigate reports of outbreaks of ulcerative dermal necrosis (UDN) in wild fish, and suspicion in farmed fish. There have been no confirmed reports of UDN in the UK since 2012, and UDN is not subject to official disease control measures.

Pigeons: Pest Control

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help farmers control wood pigeon.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: This is a devolved matter and the following answer applies to England only.Farmers may operate under the new general licence issued by Natural England on 3 May to control wood pigeons to prevent serious damage to crops. If the circumstances in which they wish to act are not covered by the new licence they may apply to Natural England for an individual licence using the online application system. The government issued a call for evidence on 4 May to help inform its future decisions on general licences relating to the purposes covered by the three revoked general licences and will set out its next steps shortly.

Home Office

Visas: Mental Health

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department takes to safeguard visa applicants from stress and other mental health problems which occur as a result of delayed decisions and other complications in the application process.

Caroline Nokes: Comprehensive guidance is published on GOV.UK on the visa application process. This includes information regarding our Customer Service Standards (CSS) timescales for processing visa applications.If an application is complex or delayed for any reason, Visas & Citizenship staff contact the applicant and inform them if it is anticipated that the CSS will not be met.Applicants can contact V&C should the need arise. Contact details are published on the GOV.UK website here: https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-ukIf V&C are made aware of any compelling or compassionate circumstances, consideration will be given to expediting assessment of the application, where appropriate and possible.

Counter-terrorism: Radicalism

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the review of the Prevent Strategy addresses the growing threat of far-right extremism.

Mr Ben Wallace: Prevent aims to stop vulnerable people from being drawn into terrorism and does not target a specific faith or ethnic group it deals with all forms of terrorism. Almost half of those people who receive Channel support are initially referred for concerns related to right-wing extremism. The independent review of the Prevent programme, which was announced on 22 January 2019, will therefore also deal with all forms of terrorism.

Counter-terrorism: Radicalism

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to expand mentoring services and support individuals vulnerable to recruitment by far-right organisations.

Mr Ben Wallace: The Prevent programme is fundamentally about safeguarding and supporting vulnerable individuals to stop them from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. Prevent addresses all forms of terrorism, including right wing terrorism.Since 2012, over 1,300 people have been supported through the voluntary, confidential Channel programme. In 2017/18, almost half of those people who received Channel support were initially referred for concerns related to right-wing extremism. The majority of the individuals who choose to participate in Channel leave with no further terrorism-related concerns. The Channel programme continues to expand its cohort of right wing specialist intervention providers that provide bespoke intervention sessions with individuals that have been identified as being vulnerable to being radicalised by far-right organisations and their narratives.

West Midlands Police: Finance

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to increase funding for West Midlands Police to tackle violent crime.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Government is determined to do everything it can to tackle knife crime and break the deadly cycle of violence that devastates the lives of victims, families and communities.We are taking action to address these increases on a number of fronts in support of our Serious Violence Strategy. This includes providing the police with the powers and resources they need to take effective action in all areas of the country. Through the Offensive Weapons Act we are tightening the law in relation to knives, including making it an offence to possess certain offensive weapons in private, and stopping knives being sent to residential addresses after they are bought online unless the seller has arrangements with a delivery company to verify age. We are also introducing new Knife Crime Prevention Orders, requested by the police to help them to tackle young people who are on the cusp of serious violence, to help them make more positive lifestyle choices. We also continue to support the police national weeks of action against knife crime under Operation Sceptre.The police funding settlement provides the police with the biggest increase in funding since 2010, and in addition we are providing the additional £100 million to tackle serious violence announced in the Spring Statement on 13 March, which includes £80m of new funding from the Treasury. £63.4 million of this funding has already been allocated to 18 police forces most affected by serious violence to pay for surge operational activity, including increased patrols, and £1.6 million to help improve the quality of data on serious violence, particularly knife crime, to support planning and operations. West Midlands has been allocated £7.62m from this fund. A full list of the forces and the funding they have received from the serious violence fund is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/police-granted-funding-boost-for-action-on-serious-violence. The remaining £35m from the Serious Violence Fund will be invested in Violence Reduction Units, which will support the local response in a number of areas worst affected by serious violence. VRUs will bring together a range of agencies including health, education, social services and others, to develop a multi-agency approach to preventing serious violence altogether. We are working closely with local partners to develop proposals for Violence Reduction Units, and will be seeking to make announcements on this funding in early June.We are also raising awareness among young people of the dangers of carrying a knife through our national media campaign - #knifefree – and supporting early intervention through the £22 million Early Intervention Youth Fund, which is already supporting 29 local projects, including around £2m allocated to the Police and Crime Commissioner in the West Midlands to target young people identified as being most at risk, particularly those at risk of exclusion from school, and those already engaged in crime and violence.We have also introduced the £200 million Youth Endowment Fund, which will be delivered over the next 10 years to support interventions with children and young people at risk of involvement in crime and violence, focusing on those most at risk. The charity Impetus, working in partnership with the Early Intervention Foundation and Social Investment Business, is now operating the Fund.

Large Goods Vehicles: Theft

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he plans to take tackle cargo theft from HGVs.

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the level of cargo theft from HGVs in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Government is committed to tackling all forms of acquisitive crime. The Minister for Policing and the Fire Service chaired the first meeting of a new Taskforce on 15 January 2019 which brings together the police, industry and others to look at what more can be done to tackle vehicle theft.

Immigration: Applications

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people who secured indefinite leave to remain in the last 12 months (a) obtained legal advice and (b) did not obtain legal advice on their applications.

Caroline Nokes: Information on the number of applicants who were granted with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) who obtained legal advice as part of their application is not collated centrally as part of the production of the quarterly Immigration Statistics.The published statistics on leave to remain applications that have been processed within service standard can be found in the migration transparency data release https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/in-country-migration-data-february-2019 at: InC_02: Percentage of In-Country visa applications, for each Route, processed within Service StandardsIt is open to applicants to obtain legal representation from a qualified UK immigration adviser. In the UK, the Office of the Immigration Services Commis-sioner (OISC) regulates immigration advisers. The OISC website www.gov.uk/find-an-immigration-adviser provides a list of immigration advisers

Fire and Rescue Services: Military Decorations

Karen Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Defence on awarding the Long Service and Good Conduct medal to firefighters working for the Ministry of Defence who are contracted to an external organisation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Nick Hurd: No discussions on this specific issue have taken place.

Motorcycles: Crime

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to tackle moped crime in Havering.

Mr Nick Hurd: Crimes involving mopeds are clearly a concern. That is why we worked with the police, industry and other partners last autumn to develop a comprehensive action plan to tackle them.Figures from the Metropolitan Police show that this, together with an adapted operational and tactical response by the police, has resulted in a 32% reduction in the theft of mopeds, motorbikes and scooters in the year to March 2019 and a 52% reduction in these items being used in crime for the same period.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Brexit

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many officials in his Department have been seconded away from their normal duties to work on the UK's withdrawal from the EU; and what effect that secondment of staff has had on the effectiveness of his Department.

Margot James: As part of the department’s preparations for the possibility of leaving the EU without a deal, around 110 officials were seconded away from their normal duties to support on EU Exit work. In addition, a significant number of officials had their work re-prioritised to include EU Exit work whilst remaining in their primary roles.

Tourism: Historic Buildings

Sir David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to encourage an increase the number of annual visits to historic houses throughout the UK.

Jeremy Wright: In 2018 historic properties responded to a VisitEngland survey of visitor attractions in England, indicating that there were approximately 70m visits to historic properties in 2017. Of these, the most popular types of historic attractions were historic houses, making up 43% of all heritage visits. VisitBritain use historic houses in their promotional material to promote our heritage abroad and incentivise visits to the UK. VisitEngland also administer the £40m Discover England Fund which helps create innovative, bookable tourism product across England and markets them at international audiences. Products which focus on historic houses include the England’s Originals project, The Great West Way and the Explorers Road. In addition, Historic Houses work in partnership with the GREAT campaign. The GREAT Campaign use images and events throughout their international marketing campaigns to stimulate tourism and project a positive image of British national heritage abroad.

Tourism

Sir David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to help increase tourism to the UK after the UK leaves the EU.

Jeremy Wright: We are working with the tourism and hospitality sector to ensure it remains globally competitive. Whether the UK leaves with a deal or not, the UK and the EU have proposed reciprocal visa-free travel arrangements to enable UK and EU citizens to continue to travel freely for tourism in the future. The Government has also confirmed that EU nationals can continue to travel on a national ID card until December 2020 and use e-gates when travelling on a passport. The Home Office has also announced this week that the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore and South Korea have been added to the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to use ePassport gates to enter the UK. For those visitors who need a visa, the UK Visas and Immigration service (UKVI) aims to deliver a world-class customer experience that is competitive, flexible and accessible. UKVI have a number of projects underway that will deliver significant customer service improvements this year.  The proposed tourism sector deal, which is in formal negotiations, has a strong focus on competitiveness through boosting connectivity (both transport connections and digital connectivity) and working with destinations to build quality tourism products that meet visitors needs and expectations. A key focus is also making the sector more attractive to UK nationals through investment in skills, career development and retention policies. VisitBritain are also working hard to promote the UK as a destination, using targeted marketing in Europe, increasing work with partnerships such as EasyJet and increasing press engagement in the tourism market, featuring activities for visitors to do in the UK this summer.

5G

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment has been made of the potential effect of 5G on (a) plants, (b) animals and (c) insects.

Margot James: Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) has the potential to impact the movement of insects and some species of animals, but there is currently no evidence that human-made EMR, at realistic field levels, has population level impacts on (a) plants, (b) animals or (c) insects.